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Meet our sales team

Medicare questions? Start with our Medicare sales experts

Our team of Medicare sales experts are here to answer your questions and help you choose the right plan for your needs. They’re available to talk with you by phone or in-person in your home, if that’s more convenient for you. Some of our reps even hold meetings each month where you can come and learn all about Medicare.

We speak your language, with representatives who speak Spanish or Portuguese. If you speak a different language, we can make accommodations for that, too. No matter what part of the state you’re in, we’re here to meet your needs.

Medicare informational seminars and face-to-face appointments

Medicare sales associate Marianne Whalen
Marianne Whalen
Area served: Southern Rhode Island

A native Rhode Islander, Marianne has more than 25 years of experience assisting Medicare members find the right coverage to meet their personal needs. She is available to individually meet with clients to review their Medicare plan options, and she collaborates with senior agencies and organizations to provide service to their clients. Marianne holds monthly Medicare 101 workshops in your community, a great place to learn the basics of Medicare! Marianne is a member of the Narragansett Lions Club and volunteers with the Rhode Island Community Food Bank and Hasbro Children’s Hospital. 

Medicare sales associate Malissa Richmond
Malissa Richmond
Area served: Northern Rhode Island

Malissa is a trusted advisor with more than 15 years of experience helping people simplify Medicare and Medicare coverage options. She identifies what is important to each member and guides them through every step of the transition. Malissa collaborates with other retirement specialists, such as CPAs and financial advisors, to provide her clients a holistic approach to retirement planning. Malissa also works with community organizations such as senior centers, The Office of Healthy Aging, The Point, and Tri-Town Community Action. Malissa is a Cranston resident who enjoys travel, the beach, reading, and yoga in her spare time.

Medicare sales associate Michael Foster
Michael Foster
Area served: East Bay

Michael has 20 years of experience at Blue Cross as a trusted Medicare advisor, and he knows how overwhelming it can be to choose the right coverage. That’s why he uses a personal approach to understand his clients’ specific needs and engage them in a conversation about what’s important to them. Michael holds individual consultations at homes and businesses, making it easier for clients to meet at their convenience. He also conducts free seminars to discuss Medicare Parts A, B, and D, along with Medicare Advantage and Medigap plan options. Michael lives in Cranston with his wife and two children. He enjoys exercising and spending time with his family. 

BlueRI for Duals benefits consultations

BlueRI for Duals sales associate Nelly Rodriguez Colón
Nelly Rodriguez Colón
Hablo Español

Nelly began her healthcare career in 2010, supporting low-income disabled adults and seniors on Medicaid and Medicare in Massachusetts. Currently a BlueRl for Duals benefits consultant, she focuses on ensuring that Rhode Island's disabled and aging populations receive optimal healthcare coverage. In her two years in Rhode Island, Nelly has established strong partnerships, particularly with DD/IDD agencies, making them key referral sources. Together with the D-SNP team, she has contributed to developing tailored processes to meet the specific needs of these groups, reinforcing BCBSRI's reputation and living up to the motto, "It's the Blue Difference."

BlueRI for Duals sales associate Laura Alarcon
Laura Alarcon
Hablo Español

Laura Alarcon joined BCBSRI a year ago as a BlueRI for Duals benefits consultant. She brings experience in sales, account management, and vendor relations, specializing in grassroot marketing and community partnership development. Laura is known for her proactive approach in building relationships with community partners. Her passion for helping the disabled and senior population shines through in her dedicated efforts to educate and advocate for their health needs.

Medicare phone consultations

Medicare associate Stephanie Barbosa
Stephanie Barbosa
Falo Português

Stephanie, a longtime “Townie” of East Providence and graduate of Providence College as a health policy and management major, has been working for BCBSRI for 10 years now, where she assists the Medicare-eligible population with plan options. Her devotion to her work and her customers is widely recognized, especially in the Portuguese community, where her ability to communicate fluently in Portuguese is very well received. Now located in Riverside, Stephanie enjoys reading and going to the beach while also committing her time to various nonprofits and other community-based projects. 

Medicare associate Todd Ayotte
Todd Ayotte

For more than two decades, Todd has been finding solutions for customers. For the past five years, he has been a trusted adviser to the Medicare community. He understands the complexity of choosing the right health coverage and is committed to identifying the best solution for every potential customer. A Rhode Island native, Todd is active in his community as a member of the Conimicut Village Association, neighbors dedicated to improving the Conimicut Village area of Warwick.

Medicare associate Sheri Tarpey
Sheri Tarpey

Sheri is a lifelong Rhode Island resident and graduate of Rhode Island College. Throughout her more than 25 years of experience, with 10 years dedicated to our Medicare customers, she has used her excellent communication skills to assist her customers in making important decisions regarding their medical plans. Her ability to streamline and simplify the healthcare process for each customer serves to alleviate any worries that they may have, as she listens, problem solves, and responds accordingly.  A Warwick native, Sheri enjoys spending quality time with family and friends, taking in all the sights and experiences that Rhode Island has to offer.

Medicare associate Mandi Sherman
Mandi Sherman

A New England native, Mandi has lived in Rhode Island for 20 years, and she has 18 years of experience working with Medicare. As a BCBSRI Medicare consultant, she helps customers looking for the health plans that best suit their needs. Located in West Greenwich, Mandi is an avid runner who enjoys participating in her local road races raising money for various charities. In addition, Mandi participates in her local Rhode Island Women’s Basketball League. She also dedicates her time to various organizations located in Rhode Island, including Girls on The Run, The Heart Walk, and Save the Bay, to name a few. 

Medicare associate Adam Costa
Adam Costa

Adam, a Medicare Consultant, has served BCBSRI members since 2017, when he began working at the East Providence Your Blue Store℠. He has 14 years of experience in the insurance industry and is thrilled to work with Rhode Islanders eligible for Medicare, helping to recommend plans that fit their lifestyles and needs. A lifelong Rhode Islander, Adam served in the Air National Guard for 4 years and volunteers with Boots on the Ground and the American Red Cross.

Medicare associate Leda Rodriguez
Leda Rodriguez
Hablo Español

Leda, a former Your Blue Store representative, has been with BCBSRI for 19 years. When she was a BlueRI for Duals specialist, she was an active presence in communities across the state. Specializing in consumer engagement, you may have seen Leda at Progreso Latino, a flu shot clinic, or on social media in educational videos. Leda enjoys cooking and spending time with her family in Glocester as well as travelling and experiencing the different cuisines Rhode Island has to offer. Leda habla espanol y se mantiene activa en todas comunidades de Rhode Island. 

Deborah Castaldi
Deborah Castaldi

A native of Pawtuxet Valley in Rhode Island, Deb has more than 16 years of experience in insurance and sales. She has focused her years on helping people understand Medicare and all of the options available to them. Deb believes that everyone’s situation is unique and works to recommend the best solution for each person’s needs. She is a big believer in spreading positivity, being compassionate toward others and in the power of doing good deeds. In her spare time, Deb enjoys reading and walking; and especially being able to be outside in the spring. She is devoted to her family and pets, all of which have been rescued from shelters over the years.